In elementary and middle/intermediate schools, the contract is silent on class sizes for music instruction. It is the Union’s position that no class in elementary school should exceed 32 students (25 for kindergarten and 18 for pre-K) or 33 students in middle/intermediate school, with the exception of Title I schools.

In high schools, the class size limit for required music classes is 50, which applies to performance courses like band, orchestra, chorus and music survey classes. However, for specialized instruction classes that are neither required for graduation nor performance courses, the standard high school class size limit of 34 students applies. Music classes limited to 34 students are analogous to subject classes in their content and instruction.

DOE employees needing to express breast milk at work have the right to a lactation space. In accordance with state labor law, updates have been made to the DOE's lactation accommodation policy. 

DOE employees needing to express breast milk at work will be provided with paid break time of 30 minutes each time they have a reasonable need to express breast milk during regular work hours and during any per session hours worked and will be permitted to use their existing paid break or mealtime if they need additional time for breast milk expression beyond the thirty minutes. 

Principals/office head must identify a lactation space that could be made available if an employee needing to express breast milk at work requests a lactation space. 

An employee needing to request a lactation accommodation must complete and submit a Lactation Accommodation Request Form, including any proposed schedule of breaks and indicating if the employee needs a lactation space. Employees should make this request as far in advance as practicable, such as before returning from leave. The principal/office head will respond to a written request for a lactation accommodation as quickly as possible, but no later than five business days after receiving the request.

See the DOE's personnel memorandum for additional guidance.

Guidelines state that classrooms should be large enough to give each student a minimum of 20 square feet of space, exclusive of wall cabinets, heat sources and other permanent architectural features. The only exceptions to these rules are for classrooms containing students with physical disabilities and kindergarten children, both which require a minimum of 35 square feet. 

Non-standard and sub-divided rooms with less than the required number of students on their register may be eligible for an exemption to these regulations, but each circumstance must be officially approved by the DOE.

The Pre-K Center Handbook recommends that the school programmer stagger the teachers’ and paras’ lunches so that one of them can be present during lunch.

School Leadership Teams are established in each school. The principal, chapter leader, and Parents Association (PTA) president must serve on the committee. SLTs must include other parents and staff (pedagogic and/or non-pedagogic) from the school. SLTs also may include students (a minimum of two students is required in high schools) and representatives of Community Based Organizations (CBOs).

Parent and staff members must be elected; other members may be selected. Every SLT develops their own bylaws to decide their method of election and selection of members, which happens on a yearly basis. 

School Leadership Teams meet at least once a month during the school year at a time convenient for the parent members of the team. SLTs establish many of their own bylaws and procedures, so each school may have different policies in place for the election and selection of members, meeting times, filling vacancies, number of members, etc. 

An SLT is responsible for developing the school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) and ensuring that it is aligned with the school-based budget. SLTs also provide an annual assessment to the community district or high school superintendent of the principal’s record of developing an effective shared decision-making relationship with the SLT members during the year.

As a state-approved provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours, the UFT's LearnUFT program offers professional learning opportunities specifically designed to meet our members’ needs.

State regulations now require all teachers who hold professional certificates and paraprofessionals who hold Level III teaching assistant certificates to collect and track 100 professional development hours (known as CTLE hours) by a state-approved provider in five-year cycles. 

LearnUFT courses are designed by teachers and taught by teachers and we solicit input from our members to craft new offering. Courses high quality and engaging, and are designed to model the instructional strategies being covered. 

For more information and to see current CTLE credit-bearing classes, visit the UFT website.

See this helpful chart »

Anyone seeking to qualify for any differential should consult DOE circulars and regulations to make sure any courses you take are acceptable for accreditation before enrolling. 

Pay stubs with deduction information can be found by logging in to the DOE Payroll Portal: https://payrollportal.nycboe.net.

Here is a chart with payroll codes used by the DOE: 

Differentials:
MA – C1 NA – C1 with PD
PA – C2
QA – C2 with ID
RA – C2 with PD
SA – C2 with ID
TA – C6
UA – C6 with PD

Longevity Codes:
A or B – under 5 years
V or W – 5 years but less than 10 years
C or D – 10 years but less than 13 years
G or H – 13 years but less than 15 years
E or F – 15 years but less than 18 years and PD
I or J – 18 years but less than 20 years
K or L – 20 years but less than 22 years
M or N – 22 years or more